A group of human beings have lived their entire lives trapped in a cave lit by a large fire behind them. Chained in place, these cave-dwellers can see nothing but shadows on a flat wall in front of them. Some of these people will be content to do no more than notice the movement of light and shadow, while others will become highly skilled at observing the patterns that most occur. In both cases, however, they cannot really understand what they see. Supposing one of these human beings manages to break away, climb up and escape from the cave. Because he has always lived in shadows he will not be able to look at the light at first and will only see things in terms of shadows. However after a time he will become accustomed to the light and be able to see things and appreciate the world as he now sees it.Suppose this man returns to the cave, and tries to tell those in the cave that there is a better world outside. They are not likely to believe him because he is now unable to manage in the cave because he is no longer used to the dark. ​

What is Plato describing in the allegory of the cave?

Why do you think the people in the cave would not listen to the man who had seen the world?

Why do you think the people still in cave should listen to the man who returned?